This is a fantastic gift which will be welcomed by all mothers.  I bought this for my niece when she was only twelve months old, although it is a dual purpose toy – extra value for money!

This is a well-made round clock with twelve individual shapes around the face.  Initially the child learns by trial and error to insert the correct shape into its allotted place.  The shapes are all different so there isn’t the possibility of putting a piece in and getting it in the wrong place.  The shapes are all different colours and each shape has its own colour.

It is suggested that the Shape Sorting Clock is suitable for age 3 to 6 years.  That is appropriate for those kids learning to tell the time.  As this is also a shape sorter buying it for a younger child is particularly useful.  The minute and second hands can be moved to assist the children when they are learning to tell the time.

This is a very attractive wooden clock which is excellent value for money.  It is a perfect gift which will be welcomed by all parents as learning to tell the time is a milestone achievement for all children.

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.

I was invited to my colleague’s baby girl birthday party 2 months’ back. Having no idea and pondering what to get for the one year old, my niece introduced me to the Baby Fans one-stop online shop which is selling many varieties of fairly priced quality baby clothing and infant products.

After 10 minutes of navigation in the store, I found the Lakers baby clothes section and had chosen one Lakers infant bubble and a super cute braided Lakers infant dress. I was very satisfied with the hassle free online purchase as it was done within one hour at the convenience of without getting out of the house.  The purchase was nicely wrapped and delivered right to the doorstep within one week.

I would greatly recommend this Baby Fans online shop to those who wish to shop for gifts for newborns, infants or kids, especially to the busy mums or adults. You can do the online purchase any time at the comfort of your home or office.

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This is an absolutely fabulous gift for a child who likes fiddling with little pieces.  My eight year old nephew received it for his birthday.  He loves Lego and this is a natural alternative which encourages his skills.  From starting with an electric light and then progressing to more complex projects this is a – I hesitate to say toy – set which grows as the child gains in confidence.

There are over 80 different pieces which combine to make working circuit boards.  The instructions are easy to follow and there are colored illustrations to make it easy for a child. Within a few minutes he proudly showed his first invention, and then regularly returned to show off the latest variation.

His six year old sister did try to have a go; however I think that she is a little too young and she became irritated with her lack of progress.  She did enjoy watching her brother, and he even let her help him on occasions.     

My nephew really loves this set and my sister has already had to promise to buy any other kits which are available.  This is a gift which continues to give over and over again.

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.

This is an absolutely super play tent which my sister had bought for her daughter when she turned six.  She really loves it and even her older brother comes and sits in it with her.  It is huge and much bigger than they expected.

It only takes five minutes to set up and they use it inside and out depending on the weather.  There is room inside for both the kids and my sister, and they love having their picnic lunch there – isn’t it funny how much nicer sandwiches are when pretending to be camping!  The curtain doors cover the front of the play tent and there is a sky light.

It normally stays up in the conservatory, but it is simple to move outside when they want to – both of the kids have slept in it overnight, although her son wants one in boy’s colors!  They haven’t got room for two play tents.

It is really well-made and even if it gets a bit dirty all it takes is a damp sponge or cloth and some mild washing up liquid.  This is very good value for money and I am sure that my niece and her friends will be playing happily for some months.

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.

My friend is going to Seattle for a 4 days’ business trip in late April. Since this is his first time to Seattle, he planned to extend his stay and visit the place and then move on to explore Vancouver via a round trip shuttle or train.

Since e-mail and internet access is a must for him in Seattle while international roaming is not inexpensive, he is looking for hotel accommodation that would provide free Wi-Fi service. As for the Vancouver holiday trip, he is looking for a less expensive but clean hotel with easy access to shopping, food and tourist attractions.

I suggested that he should go online to look at hotel reviews before committing any hotel reservation for both destinations and make the trip a memorable one.

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A long vacation to Europe is top on my list of holiday destinations for years. The plan was put on hold due to some changes and setback at my workplace which I believe would work out eventually.  By then, I would be able to go on a worry free trip.

If permitted, I would like to get away for 6 weeks visiting all the famous places in Europe preferably during spring time.  Seeing all the much heard landmarks, monuments, historical heritages and cultural icons around Europe is my ultimate dream.

I have already started looking at travel page and found France travel agent is among one of the best travel agents that can advise and plan for the trip. With the planning and preparation in place, my vacation dream is not very far from reality.

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It is really important that children learn from an early age that they are expected to help with chores around the home.  Even young children can help with some simple things.

They should always put their own toys away when they have finished playing with them, and then this can then progress to helping with vacuuming carpets, emptying the dishwasher and putting dishes away – if they can reach, otherwise leaving them neatly on the counter top.

Young children should be able to put their clothes for washing into a linen basket ready for taking to the washing machine and as they become a little older will be able to empty the washing machine when the cycle has been completed.

Children shouldn’t expect to be paid for helping with chores; however, it is a good idea to have a chart which gets a sticker on it when they have done their chores, and perhaps if everything has been done on time for a week, a small reward can be given.  This can be in the form of a treat, or if the child is older, maybe by allowing a friend to sleepover at the weekend.

A smaller child could perhaps be taken ice-skating or to the cinema or to any outing which they enjoy.  It is always good to encourage children to do chores, as if they don’t, when they become adults they will have a rude awakening!

Any pocket money given, should not really be as a reward for chores done, otherwise as they gradually do more, they will expect extra money as compensation.  Extra time spent with a friend or mum and dad is appreciated more by the children.

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.

I bought this for my little niece’s second birthday and I think that this is about the right age. She loved it and within a few minutes she was able to push the button herself and make it work. At first she was a little scared because it moved without her dad having to push her. Then when he walked beside her she soon got the hang of it.

She had tantrums when the battery died, but once she saw it was OK later then she was fine. I think that she thought that it was broken! Anyway she really loves it and would even take it to bed if her parents let her.

It appears to be well constructed and certainly has not been damaged by my little niece’s erratic driving skills. She still enjoys driving it every day and when it is wet she uses it in the garage – anything for a quiet life!

This is certainly going to be one toy that will have been well worth the money and even when my niece outgrows it we will be able to pass it on to my sister whose baby is only nine months old at the moment.

 Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for writing this content and I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.